Congressman Doused With Water in Restaurant

In this file photo, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, speaks during a town hall meeting, in Primghar, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

(Newser)
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Iowa congressman Steve King may be used to hearing criticism over controversial statements, but that criticism took a much more personal turn on Friday. Police in Fort Dodge, Iowa, arrested a man after they say he threw a glass of water on King at a restaurant, reports KCCI. Blake Gibbins, 26, went to the table where King was eating lunch with a group of people and threw the water when King confirmed he was the GOP congressman, say police, per ABC News. Gibbins faces charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Police say the attack was politically motivated, but they didn't mention specifics. Most recently, King has taken flak for unfavorably comparing victims of Hurricane Katrina with victims of natural disasters in Iowa, with critics accusing him of playing on racial stereotypes. Before that, he got into hot water in Congress for his comments on white nationalism. (Last year, White House press chief Sarah Sanders was refused service in a Virginia restaurant.)